[EXCLUSIVE] Taking Gundam in Bold New Directions – Interview with GQuuuuuuX Director Kazuya Tsurumaki

Renowned director Kazuya Tsurumaki is steering the iconic Gundam franchise into uncharted territory with Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX. As a longtime collaborator with legendary animator Hideaki Anno on the Evangelion series, Tsurumaki brings his distinctive sensibilities to the mecha genre while charting a fresh course for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

In our exclusive interview with Kazuya Tsurumaki, he discussed his vision for GQuuuuuuX, his collaborative relationship with Anno, and his approach to reimagining the Gundam aesthetic for a new generation.

A Shift in Creative Dynamics

While many recognize Tsurumaki for his extensive work on the Evangelion franchise where he operated under Anno’s direction, GQuuuuuuX marks a significant role reversal between the two creators.

“For Evangelion, Anno-san was the director,” Tsurumaki clarified. “But for this time, for GQuuuuuuX, Anno-san is the supporting member and he has been the screenwriter, whereas I have been the director.”

Despite this shift, Tsurumaki emphasized the natural compatibility between their creative visions: “I have always been a big Anno fan, and he has been, in a way, one of my teachers or instructors, one of the masters really, on the direction side, so I don’t think there has been a very large contradiction between what we have been doing. I think our styles came together quite smoothly.”

Breaking the Mold: A Fresh Mecha Aesthetic

One of the most striking aspects of GQuuuuuuX is its departure from traditional Gundam mecha designs. Tsurumaki deliberately encouraged innovative approaches to the franchise’s iconic mobile suits.

“The Gundam design, of course, although it might sound like if you say Gundam design is just one, it’s actually very diverse,” he explained. “Because they have been so rich in the past, I think that recently there has been somewhat of a lessening of the variety, sort of a narrowing down on the variety.”

This observation led to Tsurumaki’s directive to designer Yamashita: “In order for us to make the varieties much more wider, I did mention to Yamashita-san that he or she should actually make something quite unconventional, that it’s allowed to move away from the conventional mode.”

Tsurumaki praised Yamashita’s unique perspective, noting, “Yamashita-san is not just any designer. I think that he has the qualities of an SF writer, almost, and I felt that if I would leave him to do his job, he would reflect those kind of special qualities that he has on the design, and I think it worked out really well.”

Thematic Departure from Evangelion

While Tsurumaki acknowledges Anno’s influence on his directorial style, he was quick to distinguish GQuuuuuuX from Evangelion in terms of thematic approach and storytelling priorities.

“When it comes to the type of work that we author, so in terms of authorship, or in terms of the storyline, I think that we are quite different in character,” Tsurumaki stated. “When you think about the thematic side of the story, I believe that that kind of philosophical depth that Evangelion had is not a part of what we are envisioning for GQuuuuuuX.”

This distinction signals a deliberate choice to create something tonally different from his previous works while still bringing his distinctive directing style to the Gundam universe.

Balancing Legacy and Accessibility

A common challenge for long-running franchises like Gundam is making new entries accessible to newcomers while honoring the rich history that longtime fans appreciate. GQuuuuuuX’s prologue features both elements from the iconic One Year War and introduces new characters in the year 0085.

“When you look at the beginning, half of it is really centered around the one-year war scenes, and the other half is about 0085, which is featuring Machu and Nyaan,” Tsurumaki explained. “In a way, it looks as if half of it is full of episodes that the newcomers might not know. However, when you look at it as a whole, in fact, the 0085 Machu and Nyaan portion is really the main story in the beginning. So it is really the new characters’ story. And therefore, I think that it’s not such a big problem. I think that the newcomers can also enjoy this series.”

Tsurumaki also highlighted how modern streaming services have made the franchise more accessible than ever: “In the past, people were unable to access First Gundam, even if they wanted to. But recently, there’s a lot of streaming. There’s a lot of subscription type services. So even for the audiences outside of Japan, it is possible to go back and check if you don’t know something about an episode.”

A Gateway for New Fans

When asked directly if GQuuuuuuX could serve as an effective entry point for those unfamiliar with Gundam, Tsurumaki was enthusiastic.

“Absolutely. Obviously, we did not create GQuuuuuuX with the aim to only make it a source of happiness for the older fans,” he affirmed. “So, yes, we believe that it will be a very good starting point for the newcomers.”

While the initial release has been described by some as feeling like a preview or compilation film, Tsurumaki expressed confidence in the series’ trajectory and the continued development of its central characters.

“We will continue to have Machu, Nyaan, and Shuji. They will be interesting characters within the series,” he promised. “And, of course, Machu and Shuji are new types that we believe a lot can be expected from in the future, in the series.”

Global Reach and Unexpected Popularity

Tsurumaki expressed surprise and delight at learning about Gundam’s strong following in Southeast Asia, a fact he admitted learning only shortly before the interview.

“I did not know the extent of popularity within Southeast Asia and Indonesia of Gundam. In fact, I learned about it just today because the staff told me,” he confessed. “This was not only surprising, but it was also a source of great joy.”

He concluded with an invitation to these international fans: “Please look forward to how GQuuuuuuX and the GQuuuuuuX series is going to develop in the future. Thank you.”

As Gundam GQuuuuuuX continues to develop under Tsurumaki’s direction, both longtime mecha enthusiasts and curious newcomers can anticipate a series that honors the franchise’s legacy while boldly pushing its boundaries in terms of design, character development, and storytelling approach.

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